David Batty

Description: Sports: Football / Sport Topic: Football Players & Coaches / His presence in the Leeds midfield alongside the youth of ... more

David Batty ... Bowyer, Bakke, McPhail and Kewell has helped Leeds' revival no end. The team were flying in 1999-2000 until the Yorkshireman was hit with a calf injury, which led to him missing the rest of the season and Euro 2000. Became David O'Leary's first signing in December 1998, when he rejoined the club from Newcastle in a deal worth £4.4M.
Represented the city at every schoolboy level, before making his Leeds debut at 18. He soon became a regular, appearing over 250 times for Leeds, helping them first to promotion and then to the Football League title in 1991-92. He was controversially sold to Blackburn Rovers in 1993 for £2,750,000, before joining Newcastle in 1996 in a deal worth £3,750,000. Has been an England regular for most of the 90's, and sadly, despite some strong performances, will be best known for his fateful penalty miss against Argentina in the World Cup of 1998.

Newest Review: ... obsession Sold to Blackburn - a poor decision The then Leeds board got loads of derision From us fans "What on earth are your plans!" We shouted, as we watched Wilko's dross From the top of the new East Stand - oh we were so cross! Eventually Wilko got the message As we booed him out of Wembley's passage Two managers later, rejoice! O'Leary's first signing - ... more

... Batts was the choice He played well then got injured It was clear though that he had matured Now this season Batts is our best And now that the championship is Leeds' true test He'll make sure we beat the rest But not score... ...more

Read Reviews for David Batty

David Batty: Batts (185 words)
by - written on 05/01/02 (Useful, 47 readings)
Rating:

"David Batty" Leeds fans love him Most other football fans hate him Or just do not rate him He stalks about in the middle Always on hand to regain possession Playing for Leeds with frenzied obsession Sold to Blackburn - a poor decision The then Leeds board got loads of derision From us fans "What on earth are your plans!" We shouted, as we watched Wilko's dross From the top of the new East Stand - oh we were so cross! Eventually Wilko got the message As we booed him out of Wembley's passage Two managers later, rejoice! O'Leary's first signing ... Read the complete review

Shoot Shoot SHOOT (1546 words)
by - written on 27/12/01 (Very useful, 105 readings)
Rating:

A strange guttural chant goes up from the crowd, all as one 40,000 fervent fans bawling out the same urgent plea. For the casual observer, it may seem odd that the Elland Road fanatics are apparently booing one of their own with a passion and glee... But for the seasoned observer, it is obvious what is going on. They are not booing the hard bitten midfielder, but screaming 'Shoot Shoot SHOOT' every time David Batty gets possession within about forty yards of the opposition goal. For of all modern outfield footballers, Batty is the one least likely to be burying the ball in the opponents' nest. At the start of this season, Batty had just ... Read the complete review

David Batty: Mr Leeds United! (1481 words)
by - written on 02/08/01 (Very useful, 130 readings)
Rating:

DAVID BATTY Born on December the Second 1968, if there was ever a player destined to play for my beloved Leeds United, David Batty is that man. A Leeds lad through and through David knows that Leeds is his home, the best place on earth, and after a stint of exploration away from the club, Batts has come home where he belongs! Playing for West Yorkshire schools as a young lad (how many talented players have we picked up from there in the past?), David Batty signed YTS forms at the club in 1985, and only two years later, he was already in the reckoning for a first team place, such was the grace and ability of this young lad. However, in some ... Read the complete review

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